For Sixth Straight Year, Super Bowl Features Team from a Legal Marijuana State

As the National Football League (NFL) continues its hard-line stance on marijuana, which includes punishing players even if they’re using medical marijuana legally under their state’s law, it’s worth noting that this is the sixth straight year where the Super Bowl has featured at least one team from a state where marijuana is legal for all purposes.

This year’s Super Bowl LIII features the New England Patriots playing against the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams are located in states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use (Massachusetts and California). This is the sixth consecutive year – dating back to 2014 – where at least one of the Super Bowl teams are located within a legal marijuana state.

Let’s recap:

Last year’s Super Bowl featured the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the New England Patriots. As just-mentioned the Patriots are from a legal marijuana state. 2017’s Super Bowl also included the Patriots (against the Atlanta Falcons).

In 2016 the the Denver Broncos faced off against the Carolina Panthers. Colorado, of course, legalized marijuana in 2012.

In 2015 – Super Bowl XLIX- the Patriots battled the Seattle Seahawks. Although cannabis wasn’t legal in Massachusetts at that point, it was in Seattle (Washington also legalized marijuana in 2012).

In 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII was dubbed by many as the Cannabis Bowl, as both teams – the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks – are from states with legal cannabis. Given this year’s Super Bowl also features two teams from legal marijuana states, some have referred to it as the Cannabis Bowl II.

With all of this in mind, fans of the NFL should continue pressure those at the top of the league to allow players to use marijuana if its legal under their state’s law, especially for medical purposes.